Mortification of Spin

We live in a culture of "no regrets"… but shouldn't we have some? Even one? The Spinners certainly do and are willing to air out their scarlet letters for a little confession of Spin. Truth is, we've all made mistakes, but could the ones most recently made on the evangelical stage have been prevented? What does today's Church lack that it would embrace false teachers and follow misguided doctrine so blindly? No doubt, Carl, Aimee, & Todd have some ideas. Tune in as they ponder recent events and where the Church needs to pay closer attention to its associations.If you have enjoyed this week's Bully Pulpit then you will like this free audio download Faith and Repentance by Sinclair Ferguson from The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. You can redeem your free gift at Reformed Resources.

What do zip lines, blonde hair, and free-range chickens have in common with pastoral ministry? Is Carl going to be next year's super-star pastor after his latest tome, Your Worst Life Now? Pastors have a high and difficult calling in their ministry, and whether you pastor 8 or 8,000, congregants have expectations and you have biblical duties. So how do you discern which to prioritize and what boundaries to guard jealously? Does going bald and staying bitter really improve preaching? Grab a front-row seat to a day in the life of Carl & Todd. And per usual, Aimee's sharp-edged questions keep the boys on their toes and you guessing!If you enjoyed this week's Mortification of Spin you will like this free audio download, Faithful and Relevant Pastoral Ministry by Terry Johnson, from the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. You can find your free gift at Reformed Resources.

Addressing the resignation of high-profile pastor Mark Driscoll, the team discusses a relevant question: Can a pastor be restored to ministry? They offer biblical options to a dismal scenario churches face all too often. As usual, they don't hold back from exposing the underlying issues at hand and the ultimate hope amidst them. What if a pastor seemingly values his reputation over protecting the flock? Hear the gang answer how they'd deal with "bad-boy" pastors and their thoughts on what forgiveness looks like for them.For listening to this Mortification of Spin: Bully Pulpit, the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to give you a free MP3 from Ed Welch entitled, "Peer Pressure and Pastoring." Go to ReformedResources.org to download your free MP3!

Aimee's outnumbered in the city that never sleeps… and it keeps getting balder! But wait, it seems Carl and Todd aren't the only balding stars of this show. Come along as they hit the streets with pastor and author Tim Keller to discuss his new book, Center Church: Doing Balanced, Gospel-Centered Ministry in Your City. How are Christians to engage their cultural surroundings and make a true, lasting impact for Christ? If you're a pilot, how do you go about your high-in-the-sky vocation to the glory of God? Do you pass out tracks to passengers ushered off your plane? It's that unceasing question of Christ and Culture. Listen in as the gang talks to Tim to see if the Transformationalist approach is the answer. By the way, what does Keller, (the bald but not-so-bitter), mean by a "wisdom-contest-counter-contrast community"? More importantly, can Aimee hold her own amongst so much baldness? Let's hope her street-smarts are up to snuff!This week the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to offer Tim Keller's Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering as a free giveaway. Just enter here to win.

What do humanism and creedless Christianity have in common? And what's the need for a creed anyway? The gang throw out their two cents and discuss an article about Bart Campolo, who recently renounced his Christian faith and declared himself an agnostic humanist. Serious blind spots and weaknesses in luke-warm, doctrine-lite theology are exposed on this week's episode, where we find that ethics without doctrine and without Christ simply cannot answer the question of evil, among other universal dilemmas. It's a touchy topic, but thankfully our sensitive, smooth-talking Todd "Barry White" Pruitt sets the tone and keeps it cool.If you have enjoyed this Bully Pulpit, then you will benefit from Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms by Kenneth Jones. Visit Reformed Resources for your free audio download! Barry & Todd: Separated at Birth?

Dr. David VanDrunen, professor of systematic theology and Christian ethics at Westminster Seminary Calfornia, is outside Georgetown Tobacco where Carl, Aimee, and Todd are wondering what all the fuss is about with two kingdoms theology. The way Christians relate to the culture is an increasingly relevant topic during today's tumultuous political milieu, and the smoke is rising! Aside from how we vote, this doctrine determines how we answer questions like: Should a minister of the gospel stand in protest outside an abortion clinic? Is the Church responsible for shaping civil law or developing political strategies? And most importantly: Should Aimee go to Christian yoga and Todd join a Christian pipe-smoking club? Hear David's astute answers on these questions while sharing his thoughts on our role as Christian citizens amidst a culture turned against God. You can enter to win a free copy of David VanDrunen's book Living in God's Two Kingdoms here. You can also purchase the book on ReformedResource.org!

Martin Luther - a man of mystery and many talents. Aside from writing lists, he was quite the letter writer, too, and with Reformation season around the corner, the Gang's discussion of Luther's woeing and woes is timely. Listen in as they share of his influence on their own lives and suggest which of Luther's works you should add to your shelf. If you have enjoyed this week's Bully Pulpit you might enjoy Luther's Theology of the Cross by Michael Horton as a free audio-download. You can get your gift at Reformed Resources.

Pull up a chair, light some candles, and prepare to be authentic and vulnerable. We have a spot at the table for you and Carl, Todd, and Aimee are here to teach us about discipleship. Join the “movement” today to hear about the ordinary means of grace, the importance of the church vs. the parachurch, and what to do about church discipline. Grab your utensils and let’s dig in.  The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals would like to thank you for listening to Mortification of Spin. Enjoy this FREE MP3 DOWNLOAD from ReformedResources.org, "God's Word and Christian Discipleship" by Jerry Bridges.

This week, the gang flips through the pages of Daniel Block's book, For the Glory of God: Recovering a Biblical Theology of Worship. The team concurs: Block's ideas on today's fundamental elements of worship, such as singing and prayer, are thought-provoking and worth a read. The gang discusses what true worship is - does Old Testament ritual practice have a place in worship or are we just spinning our wheels? In usual fashion, they offer their two cents on today's catchy contemporary jingles juxtaposed to the rich psalms and hymns of old. If you have enjoyed this weeks Bully Pulpit you will benefit from For the Glory of God by Daniel Block, a free book giveaway. Enter to win here.You can also purchase the book on Reformed Resources.

This week the gang's in deep water discussing the holy sacrament of baptism - How should we treat it? Who should administer it? Why does it even matter? They reveal key exegetical defenses, share helpful resources for those on the fence, and tell what convinced them to hang up their own credobaptist views for paedobaptist ones. Come on down to the river... the water’s fine!  If you have benefited from this week's Mortification of Spin you will enjoy The Westminster Doctrine of Baptism and Current Reformed Trajectories by Sinclair Ferguson, a free audio-download from The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals.